“I would have avoided mentioning it in your presence,” said Lightwood to Bella, delicately; “but since your husband mentions it himself, I must confirm his strange admission. I saw him as Mr. Julius Handford, and I afterwards (unquestionably to his knowledge) took great pains to trace him out.”

“Quite true. But it was not my object or my interest,” said Rokesmith, quietly, “to be traced out.”

Bella looked from the one to the other, in amazement.

“ Mr. Lightwood,” pursued her husband, “as chance has brought us face to face at last⁠—which is not to be wondered at, for the wonder is, that, in spite of all my pains to the contrary, chance has not confronted us together sooner⁠—I have only to remind you that you have been at my house, and to add that I have not changed my residence.”